Unmasked: Self Portraits of 2021

For the third year in a row, I entered a wall hanging quilt in the annual self portrait art show at Studio 402 in the Anderson Arts Building. Nancy Valle, local artist, has hosted this self portrait show in her studio/gallery each January for the past 3 years.

This year’s self portrait show features 62 local artists. As Nancy says, “62 local artists visually represent themselves and find creativity in a challenging year. Isolation can invite introspection. From representational to abstract to conceptual – works in drawing, painting, printmaking, encaustic, mixed-media, photography, fiber art and sculpture fill the gallery.”

This year the exhibit has been extended until March 13, but by appointment only beginning later in February. You can contact her (nancy.valle@mac.com) to set up a time for a private viewing. Meanwhile, here is a video:

https://youtu.be/mAQoW12Cgdg

Invasion of the Amazons

Every day, all day long, delivery vans go up and down our street. Some neighbors get several deliveries a day. And Quilting with Margaret has jumped on the cyber bandwagon as well, with a virtual shop online.

Even though I don’t have a Quilting with Margaret van to deliver last minute gifts, yet, I am offering free, touchless pickup. Place an order at QuiltingWithMargaret.com and it will be ready for pickup within 2 hours (with exception to facemasks which are made-to-order and need 24 hours).

So if you are looking for some last-minute Christmas gifts that are handmade, and you want to shop local, check out my shop here.

I just added a bunch of new potholders, the perfect holiday gift. And only $9 each until Christmas during Potholderpalooza. They are lightweight and easy to send through the mail with a card. The loop fits easily around a bottle of Christmas cheer as a bonus gift. They fit well into Christmas stockings. And who can’t use a nice new and clean potholder without burn marks?

Choose from new happy hour designs, Buffalo Bills and other Rochester-themed designs, and some new Pop Culture designs including David from Schitt’s Creek. In my newly added potholder category “Speak Out” you will find designs featuring Dr. Fauci, several RBG designs, Biden phrases like, “Will you shut up man!”, and a couple of Nasty Woman designs.   

It’s only 5 days till Christmas. Hope you have a merry one and enjoy the intimacy of this year’s holiday. Stay safe and let’s get ready to celebrate the New Year and all of the promises of a better normal it brings.

Potholderpalooza, Cyber Monday - First Friday

Thanks to everyone who shopped my Virtual Holiday Gallery on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday this weekend. I appreciate the support. I’m busily filling all of your orders and will notify you when they are ready for pick up or shipped early this week.

The winner of the 2020 Covid Christmas Stocking is Janet Irwin. She will be getting a Quilting with Margaret stocking filled with hand sanitizer, wipes, All Washed Up soap (another local small online business), a couple of holiday masks, an RPO “Holiday Celebration” CD, some holiday candy and some tiny bottles of Christmas cheer. She will also be getting her order hand delivered. Congratulations Janet!

This Monday is Cyber Monday, so I have planned another special which will run through First Friday. In celebration, Quilting with Margaret is doing Potholderpalooza, a potholder extravaganza. Select from a massive selection of fun and functional potholders all priced at $9 each this week only (regularly $10). The more you buy, the more you save. The sale runs from Monday (Nov. 30) 8 a.m. until Friday (Dec. 4) at 11 p.m. Use discount code $9POTHOLDERS

Potholders are the perfect holiday gift…who can’t use a fresh, new potholder? The hanging loops are large enough to fit around the neck of a bottle of wine, turning the bottle of wine into a cute hostess gift. Potholders are lightweight and flat, easy to slip in an envelope for mailing with a holiday card. They make great stocking stuffers. You can select the perfect potholder for everyone on your list. Choose from lots of fun themed categories like retro, music, camping, food, pop culture, sports teams and even holidays. There are Rochester related potholders like retro Kodak film and chicken wings. Foodies will love the hotdogs on a grill, lobster or bacon and eggs potholders. There’s even a pot potholder. Like I said, one for everyone. Shop now to see what’s available.

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Safe Online

My new online shop is now stocked for the holidays. I will be having some great specials on Thanksgiving weekend for Black Friday (11/27) and Small Business Saturday (11/28).

Look for an invitation on Facebook with special coupon codes for a weekend of discounts. And if you make a purchase Friday or Saturday I am planning a big weekend drawing! Win a handmade holiday stocking filled with everything you need to survive the 2020 Covid Christmas season (more than a $75 value). Check back next week for details or watch for your Invitation.

Thanks for supporting small businesses and shopping local!

This will be a crazy holiday for everyone with lots of new rules. I won’t be open as usual at the studio over the holidays, I’m hoping online shopping can compensate for this. It’s safe, it’s contactless payment and contactless pickup for local shoppers. I also have free shipping for purchases over $75. Help small businesses stay around by shopping local this holiday season.

Just in time for the holidays, new face masks.

More Dr. Fauci, Black Lives Matter, Ew Covid!, David from Schitt’s Creek, Flatten the Curve with Rosie the Riveter and Santa with a mask. Check them out in the new category “Rona Face Masks” and new additions in “Speak Out Face Masks”, “Pop Culture Face Masks” and “Holiday Face Masks.” Also find some great Thanksgiving Day masks like a fun turkey print, autumn leaf and harvest fabrics under the “Seasonal Face Masks” category. All in my online shop.

Stay safe, mask up, and stay home this holiday season, so we can all have more holidays in the future.